Workshop Testimonials and Book Reviews

Workshop Testimonials

  • "The workshop was informative, interesting, inspiring, helpful and it was easy to engage with Betty as the presenter. She was really impressive, knowledgeable and approachable."

    Writing NSW: feedback from workshops

  • "Very practical and good hints to proceed."

    Writing NSW: feedback from workshops

  • "Betty’s material was well arranged, well presented with time allowed for discussion. Key points were the triggers I required and hoped for. Betty inspires by knowledge and example."

    Writing NSW: feedback from workshops

  • "Betty is a wonderful teacher and her practical examples from her own work were excellent in demonstrating her points."

    Society of Australian Genealogy: feedback from workshops

  • "Just a massive thank you to Betty for her generosity in sharing her skills and expertise and inspiring us all to think about family history writing in different and exciting ways."

    Society of Australian Genealogy: feedback from workshops

  • "Betty is an amazing presenter, her credentials are obviously second to none, and the content was top notch. I loved the mix between straight presentation, break out groups and discussions and resources. I feel privileged to have been able to participate."

    Society of Australian Genealogy: feedback from workshops

  • "It got me excited and motivated again about a project I have been working on for years."

    Society of Australian Genealogy: feedback from workshops

Writing Retreat Testimonials

  • "The Writing in Paradise retreat was a smorgasbord of wonder for me. From the small details, I felt well cared for and could relax immediately. The opening ceremony gave beautiful respect and honour to the traditions of the people of Bali and opened a great space to focus on the work (and pleasure) of writing. The structure of the retreat was held with gentle commitment by Betty and Steve and I valued the workshops for the clarity of information and the quality of teaching. There was always something to be learnt, and connection with other participants about the writing as a part of group check ins and socially over dinner was delightful. I particularly valued Betty’s insights and one to one mentoring which she offered with generosity, skill and wisdom. I feel very blessed to have had this opportunity and made good progress with my long dreamed of book"

    Katherine Howard, Mental Health professional, Sydney

  • "I've greatly enjoyed the 7-day 8 night writing retreat in Bali run by Betty O'Neill and Steve Castley. The afternoon workshops and regular check-ins re our writing, the generative writing together and later in the week, the opportunities to share our writing really fostered and encouraged us as writers. Our small group had time to write together, to share our writing, to get to know each other, and also to retreat to our villa and write or have Balinese massages on-site or explore or whatever we wanted to do! Steve has made Bali his home and having him as Villa manager and cultural interpreter has been invaluable. The wrap-around services including airport transfers with Steve's drivers and much TLC provided, a big bonus. Thank you, Betty and Steve, this inaugural writing retreat in Paradise greatly exceeded my expectations"

    Moira Nolan, Coffs Harbour

  • “The "Writing in Paradise" course was exactly what I needed to transform my travel blog writing into a book worth reading. Betty and Steve made the course very informative and interactive. A group of eight people was perfect to give everyone a chance to express their thoughts, share their writing and any concerns they had about their skills and to learn how to progress with their books. Bali was the perfect place to do this. A big Thank you”

    Teresa McCarthy, Perth

What other authors are saying about

The Other Side of Absence

  • “A fascinating account of a quest for a vanished father that takes the author to Poland, wartime Europe and postwar Britain. Was he a scoundrel or a victim? Evidence comes in on both sides in a moving narrative that is also a page-turner as we wait eagerly for the author’s next discovery.”

    — Sheila Fitzpatrick

    Author of Mischka’s War. Professor Australian Catholic University/University of Sydney

  • “What happens when the past you didn’t even know existed catches up with you and resets your life on an entirely new course? O’Neill’s family memoir examines the devastating, intergenerational impact of trauma and secrets on children and other family members. Spanning several countries and two continents, it takes us from one revelation to another, building towards the riveting discovery of her father’s war-time identity. In drawing her chilling portrayal of the damaged man, O’Neill is capable of making a leap of empathy and understanding as she embraces her newly found legacy. The Other Side of Absence is a spellbinding read, an original contribution to migration history in Australia, and in particular the Polish diaspora during the Cold War period.”

    — Eva C. Karpinski

    Author of Borrowed Tongues: Life Writing, Migration, and Translation. Associate Professor in the School of Women's Studies at York University in Toronto.

  • "To create a work which is at once beautiful and terrible is indeed a mark of literary talent and Betty O’Neill achieves this to perfection with The Other Side of Absence."

    — Barbie Robinson

  • “I have rarely been so gripped by a family history as I have by this one. This is an extraordinary tale of what damage war and post-war trauma can wreak on multigenerational members of the same family moving from Poland to Australia and back again. No wonder Betty threw herself into family history research to try and answer the myriad questions left hanging by her father. We are left with a clear understanding of how important history is to individual identity and redemption.”

    — Tanya Evans

    Author of Fractured Families: Life on the Margins in Colonial New South Wales. Winner NSW Premier’s History Award, Associate Professor Director of the Centre for Applied History, Macquarie University, consultant for television series “Who Do You Think You Are?”

  • “A journey through time that explores layer upon layer of family mystery and tragic history – this is storytelling at its best.”

    — Bem Le Hunte

    Author of Elephants with Headlights. Associate Professor and Program Director Creative Intelligence and Innovation, University of Technology, Sydney

  • “A poignant and riveting story.”

    — Nadia Wheatley

    Author of 2019 NIB Award-Winning Memoir, Her Mother’s Daughter

Other Reviews

Read the full review here.

The prestigious Australian Book Review concludes:

An honest and emotional account of how families shape us even in their absence, O’Neill’s story will be a treat for those partial to family histories, and provides a timely reminder of how our personal circumstances are so profoundly shaped by global events.

Living Arts Canberra by Barbie Robinson

Denise Newton Writes

AJCollins Let’s Launch: Guest author interview

Online: Polish Weekly Review, 29 July 2020

Online: Starts at 60, Contribution

Print: The Daily Telegraph Review

Print: Australian Book Review by Iva Glisic

Online: Mrs B's Book Reviews